KnittingNovice, do you know about the knitting group that meets at the Panera in Nottingham (by the Target and Dicks)? They have a ravelry group--White Marsh Knitting Gals, I believe. I went to college with one of the members, and I've only been able to make it to knit night (tuesday) twice... but they seem nice!

ETA:
Pjss, I might have to check out the shoop in Hamden... the Fells shop is close to me, but I haven't been there since I moved back to the area ( a year ago) because parking is such a PITA!